This week, our Cubs and Scouts enjoyed an evening of mountain rescue. The evening started with a bit of first aid and knotting reminders. Most importantly clove hitches. The groups were split into teams and held knotting competitions to start with. This was all leading up to the main activity a rescue. 2 casualties were hidden outside and the teams were sent out to find them armed with first aid kit, rope, mars bars, hot chocolate and a radio. Working as a team, they soon found the casualties (who were made up with injuries ) and the teams had to work out how to build their stretcher (rope only), keep their patient alive, communicate with base and then attempt a rescue. The Cubs worked well to find the casualties and were soon happily feeding hot choc and marsbars to the victims (I mean patients). The Cubs struggled a bit with the stretcher and actual carrying but with a bit of leader help soon had their patients on the mend. They did however struggle with the radios as they kept forgetting to hold the switch in when talking. Their only disappointment was it was not a real helicopter evacuation.
As the evening got darker it was Scouts turn to repeat the exercise. Again radio control was a struggle particularly when the call came into base that they had found a hedgehog with a broken leg. It soon transpired that the patient had a broken leg and a hedgehog had nestled in to keep warm, drawn to the hot chocolate no doubt that the Cubs had spilt earlier. This was a test of teamwork and problem solving for the Scouts with very little adult assistance. Some showed excellent leadership qualities.
It was a brilliant, fun evening but with a serious bit of learning involved. We must of course send our thanks to Mark of High 5 Sports and his excellent team especially his two casualties who lay in the bushes all night and played their parts well.
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